أدلّة المستخدم باللغة العربية

Overview

Test takers receive a score (Proficiency Level) for each section of the test. The Reading and Listening items are scored automatically by the computer. The Writing and Speaking items are scored by Avant’s certified raters who use a Scoring Rubric (a scoring tool that lists the criteria for meeting Proficiency Levels).

The rubric outlines in detail what expectations are placed upon the test takers for performance at any given level. Test takers who hope to score at a specific level know the characteristics of the work they must produce to achieve that level. The rubric for the Arabic Proficiency Test is shown on the next below.

Proficiency Levels

Scoring is done using the following Proficiency Levels:

Novice-Low

Novice-Mid

Novice-High

Intermediate-Low

Intermediate-Mid

Intermediate-High

Advanced-Low

Advanced-Mid

Advanced-High

Superior

Reading and Listening Proficiency Levels

Each Reading and Listening test item has an associated level. Because the Reading and Listening sections are computer-adaptive, the test taker experiences questions at various levels. The algorithm used to determine the test taker’s scores for Reading and Listening looks at the number of questions that were answered correctly at each test item level.

The Scoring Process for Writing and Speaking Items

Scoring for Writing and Speaking responses is done using the following three-step process and associated rubric.

STEP 1

Overall evaluation of the response to assess for Ratability — is the response on topic and appropriate for the given prompt/task? If the response is off topic, contains any profanity or includes any menacing or threatening language, the response will be treated as unresponsive or non-ratable and the test taker will receive a "0" score for that task.

STEP 2

Evaluation of each ratable response to determine a Proficiency Level based upon the Text-Type characteristics.

STEP 3

The system will then post a rating for each of the tasks, according to the rubric below. The individual scores are then used to calculate the score for the domain.

Each ratable Writing and Speaking response will have a score of either Superior, Advanced Low, Mid or High, Intermediate Low, Mid or High, or Novice Low, Mid or High.

Note: 20% of all test taker scores are rated by a second rater to assist in tracking rater accuracy and reliability.

The test taker’s Proficiency Levels in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking will be displayed on the Testing Group Details screen. See the APT Reporting Guide for more information.

Arabic Proficiency Test Scoring Rubric

Benchmark Level

Text Type and Language Control

LEVEL 1Novice-Low

Produces words in target language with no connection. Does not have enough vocabulary or the ability necessary to formulate even simple phrases to address the prompt. Limited language control. Inability to create more than individual words. L1 (first language) influence may be strong. Errors are expected at this level, but the student must be able to produce at least two comprehensible words.

LEVEL 2Novice-Mid

Language production is beyond individual words but clearly shows the lack of ability to construct more than phrases. May include one simple sentence, but incapable of showing more. May make frequent errors, but usually comprehensible to a sympathetic reader/listener. L1 (first language) influence may be present.

LEVEL 3Novice-High

Short, common expressions or memorized statements that may be combined together. Able to create at least 2 different simple sentences. Good accuracy for high frequency expressions. Usually comprehensible to a sympathetic reader/listener. Grammatical (syntax, spelling, conjugation) errors are expected at this level but sentences must make sense to be acceptable.

LEVEL 4Intermediate-Low

Variety of sentences that utilize different verbs to create independent thoughts, mostly composed of a recombination of learned simple sentences with added detail in the form or prepositional phrases and verbal phrases. Good accuracy with formulaic sentences with some added detail. Errors may occur as student attempts higher level skills. Good Language Control is expected with the majority of the response.

LEVEL 5Intermediate-Mid

Logical organization of ideas and flow of sentences or statements. Contains at least 2 unique and non-formulaic sentences intermixed with a variety of sentences creating ‘groupings of sentences showing connectedness. Good accuracy evident with possible errors that don’t affect the overall meaning. Delivery may be somewhat choppy. May have repetitive use of concrete vocabulary with occasional use of expanding terms. Accuracy for complex sentences is emerging.

LEVEL 6Intermediate-High

Able to demonstrate an Intermediate-High control of the language. Complexity is evident. Transition words and connectors are used correctly and efficiently a majority of the time to create a flow within the response. Groups of sentences focus on different aspects of the prompt and include transition words or phrases to introduce next concept. Does not have Advanced vocabulary or language to move into the Advanced level. Response is well written and constructed. Intermediate-High sentence structures can be found throughout response. Demonstrates beginning ability to create a coherent response with increased use of complexity as well as transition words and phrases. No evidence of advanced vocabulary

LEVEL 7Advanced-Low

A paragraph response with advanced language with complexity, syntactical and grammatical control transitional words and phrases found within the text creating a natural flow. Demonstrates a connection of thoughts that create a coherent and extended discourse. Language is error-free a majority of the time with familiar topics. If errors exist, they are patterned and do not hinder overall meaning. Delivery is mostly fluent with only occasional hesitancy. Some abstract and precise use of vocabulary and terms with familiar topics is evident.

LEVEL 8Advanced-Mid

Variety of cohesive devices and organizational patterns are evident throughout response. Vocabulary is clear, specific and natural. Language is smooth and native-like in delivery and without noticeable errors. Language is presented with limited errors, if any. Ability to create complex language using precise and extensive vocabulary. Control of the abstract as well as ease of use in idiomatic phrases and concepts. Clear sequential ordering evident (if required) and accurately follows target language conventions.

LEVEL 9Advanced-High

Able to use a variety of complex sentence structures to write related to common events, activities, and topics that are appropriate for the writer’s age and with which the writer might be expected to be familiar. Advanced-level writing is well organized, with a beginning, middle, and end, and often covers multiple time frames with a good degree of accuracy. Common errors in spelling, punctuation, and grammar may still occur.

LEVEL 10Superior

Able to express and support an opinion on a variety of abstract topics. Able to use precise vocabulary to explain complex issues and to argue effectively for their point of view. Writing is carefully organized. Arguments are well thought out and thoroughly developed. Occasional, minimal errors may occur, but do not distort the meaning of ideas expressed in text.